Music: Gallows/ETID/Rolo Tomassi

Outside the Academy the rain is lashing down like apocalypse has started and skinny jean wearing youths wail in disapproval at this unplanned cold shower. Inside however things are heating up quite nicely as Sheffield’s finest – Rolo Tomassi – flail around the stage seemingly intent on covering every single board. For people not familiar with their sound, imagine a hardcore band playing Trad Jazz at double speed whilst vocalist Eva Spencer alternates between angelic whispers and demonic growls. On paper it doest work.  Live, however, they are magic. Twisting guitar lines overlap with sinister synths to provide the backdrop to Eva’s evil sirens call. The punters in the academy stand open-mouthed not knowing whether to dance or to stroke their chins in approval. Ace!

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Music: SXSW final round up

The last of our SXSW coverage is from our final day at the event – Saturday 21st March. CONTINUE READING THIS POST >

Travel: The sights & sounds of sxsw 09

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Music: Shred yr face tour – Birmingham Academy 2

As tours go Shred Yr Face has two obvious things going for it a) a killer name b) a line up that could quite frankly make a nun start a circle pit. So with this being the last night you could be forgiven in thinking that maybe tour fatigue had kicked in and the bands were ready for a night in their own beds. With the entrance of first band Jedi Nites any worries of fatigue are crumpled into a small ball and punted into the nearest waste bin as the masked duo make their debut performance. The balaclaved pair made from other bands that may or may not be playing tonight tear through a surprisingly tight 3-song set. Despite having no idea who the duo are the crowd roar their delight.

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